Leyton Orient slump to Crawley Town defeat
4:50pm Saturday 23rd February 2013 in Latest Sport By Simon Mail
Leyton Orient's miserable week continued after a 1-0 home defeat to Crawley Town this afternoon.
Russell Slade's side were beaten at Hartlepool United last weekend and a late goal by Southend United cost them a place at Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy midweek.
Orient were understandably flat after these disappointments and an early goal from Billy Clarke helped Crawley take the points back from Brisbane Road.
The O's made three changes from the side which played the Shrimpers on Wednesday. Romain Vincelot came in for his full debut in place of the injured Martin Rowlands.
Nathan Clarke was brought back into the defence for his first start since November with Moses Odubajo handed a rest on the bench. Charlie MacDonald was also recalled to the attack in place of Shaun Batt.
Orient got off to a bad start after conceding the opener in the 11th minute when Joe Walsh set up Clarke and his looping effort flew into the net.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead when Nicky Adams' cross was headed towards goal by Mike Jones but his effort bounced off the top of the bar.
The O's finally mustered their first meaningful attack on the half hour mark when Dean Cox flicked the ball through to Charlie MacDonald and his volley was palmed away by keeper Paul Jones.
Orient also came close through Leon McSweeney's long-range volley but it flew narrowly over the Crawley goal.
The hosts had another attempt on goal but Cox's strike from outside the area lacked power and was easily saved.
Crawley threatened at the start of the second half through goalscorer Clarke but his strike was saved by Jamie Jones.
Orient badly needed a spark and Slade acted early after the restart by bringing on Odubajo for Lee Cook.
It was again the visitors who looked more dangerous and Jamie Proctor should have done better when he attacked down the right but dragged his shot wide of the target.
The hosts made a second substitution when Shaun Batt was brought on in place of MacDonald.
David Mooney had a rare opportunity when he picked up ball outside the area but the striker's effort drifted harmlessly past the post.
The O's nearly grabbed an equaliser when Mooney cut the ball back for Cox and the winger's shot was somehow blocked by a defender from just a couple of yards out.
Millwall loanee had an opportunity but his long-range strike was comfortably held by Paul Jones.
Orient were looking more threatening going forward and they had another chance through Mooney but he headed Vincelot's cross wide of the target.
The O's came even closer a few minutes later when Scott Cuthbert's header was well saved by Paul Jones.
It was a better second-half showing from Orient but they were unable to find an equaliser as they slipped out of the top ten in League One.
Leyton Orient: Jones; McSweeney, Baudry, Clarke, Cuthbert; Cox, James, Vincelot (Smith, 79), Cook (Odubajo, 57); MacDonald (Batt, 64), Mooney
Subs not used: Griffith, Grainger, Obafemi, Omozusi
Crawley Town: Jones; Dumbuya, Sadler, Connolly, Walsh; Bulman, Clarke (Torres, 82), Sparrow, Adams (O'Brien, 89); M Jones, Proctor
Subs not used: Essam, Hunt, Elford-Alliyu, Smith, Maddison
Referee: Steve Rushton
Attendance: 3,463
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